1. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use1 A Sample Presentation of The State of the Church in New Jersey and the Newark, New York City and Philadelphia Metro Areas 1990-2000 Dave Olson www.TheAmericanChurch.org

2. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use2 The first 21 slides are from the “State of the Church in New Jersey” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 42 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UNJ20.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UNJ20.htm

3. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use3 In 1996, polls taken immediately after the Presidential election revealed that 58% of people claimed they had voted, when in reality only 49% actually did. This is called the Halo Effect. People tend to over-inflate their participation in activities that create acceptability within their social group. For many decades, pollsters such as Gallup and Barna have reported that around 45% of Americans attend church every Sunday. But there is a religious Halo Effect. Actual attendance counts have shown that the percentage of people attending church on any given weekend is much lower than was previously thought.

4. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use4 The Intent of this presentation is to answer and then expand on two key questions: “How Many People Really Attend Church in New Jersey Every Week?” “Is the Christian Church Going Forwards or Backwards in Influence in New Jersey?” As the data is analyzed county by county assessing a number of factors, a comprehensive picture of the State of the Church in New Jersey will begin to take shape.

5. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use5 This study uses weekend church attendance as a more reliable and more immediate snapshot of Christian influence than membership. The following map shows the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend in all 50 states in 2000. New Jersey has an average church attendance percentage (16.0%) lower than the national average (18.7%).

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7. 7 The Next Map shows the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend in 2000 for each county in New Jersey.

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9. 9 The Next 2 Maps show the population numbers for each county in New Jersey. The first map shows the population size of each county. The second map shows the growth or decline in population for each county from 1990 - 2000. The farther east the counties, the greater the population and the faster that population growth because of the proximity to New York City.

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12. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use12 The Next 2 Slides show the ethnicity of New Jersey in 1990 and 2000. The third slide shows the growth or decline in the percentage of the population for each ethnic group.

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16. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use16 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in New Jersey in 1990 and 2000. Evangelicals have grown in attendance, but Mainline and Catholic churches and the Total have significantly declined. As overall worship attendance has declined, the population has grown. A more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph. This graph reflects a significant decrease in the percentage of the population attending church, except for Evangelicals, who have kept up with population growth.

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19. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use19 The 2 Next Charts show the relative strength of the 8 major denominational groups in New Jersey. The first chart illustrates the huge influence of the Catholic church. The second chart shows that every group has declined except the Pentecotals.

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21. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use21 The Next Map shows the growth or decline in the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend from 1990 to 2000 for each county. 3 counties grew in attendance percentage, while 18 counties declined.

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23. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use23 The Complete New Jersey Powerpoint is 42 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UNJ20.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UNJ20.htm

24. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use24 The next 10 slides are from the “State of the Church in Newark” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Newark.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Newark.htm

25. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use25 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Newark area in 1990 and 2000. Evangelical churches have grown, while Mainline and Catholic churches have declined in attendance numbers. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

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28. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use28 The 3 Next Charts show the relative strength of the 8 major denominational groups in Newark area.

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30. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use30 The Next Map shows the growth or decline in the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend from 1990 to 2000 for each county. One county in the Newark area grew in attendance percentage and four declined.

31. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use31 Newark Metro Area 1990 – 2000 Growth or Decline in Christian Church Attendance -23.2% Warren -14.4% Essex -19.3% Union -9.8% Morris 2.5% Somerset

32. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use32 The Complete Newark Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Newark.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Newark.htm

33. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use33 The next 9 slides are from the “State of the Church in New York City ” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/NewYork.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/NewYork.htm

34. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use34 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the New York City metro in 1990 and 2000. Evangelicals grew in attendance numbers, while Catholics and Mainline groups have declined over the last decade. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

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37. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use37 The Next Map shows the growth or decline in the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend from 1990 to 2000 for each county. 2 counties in the New York City metro area grew in attendance percentage, 7 declined.

38. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use38 New York City Metro Area 1990 – 2000 Growth or Decline in Christian Church Attendance -16.2% Queens -9.0% Rockland -8.1% Richmond -7.8% Bronx -4.0% Westchester 1.0% Kings 1.8% Putnam -13.2% Bergen -14.9% New York

39. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use39 The Next 3 Maps show the attendance percentages for the Evangelical, Catholic and Mainline churches in each county in the New York City metro area in 2000.

40. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use40 New York City Metro Area 2000 Evangelical Percentage 5.0% Queens -3.2% Rockland 3.1% Richmond 7.7% Bronx 4.0% Westchester 8.2% Kings 1.5% Putnam 2.3% Bergen 3.7% New York

41. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use41 New York City Metro Area 2000 Mainline Percentage 1.0% Queens 1.2% Rockland 1.0% Richmond 1.0% Bronx 2.0% Westchester 1.5% Kings 1.6% Putnam 2.3% Bergen 2.4% New York

42. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use42 New York City Metro Area 2000 Catholic Percentage 5.5% Queens 10.3% Rockland 11.1% Richmond 8.1% Bronx 9.5% Westchester 7.0% Kings 10.4% Putnam 13.5% Bergen 6.8% New York

43. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use43 The Complete New York City Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/NewYork.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information.

44. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use44 The next 7 slides are from the “State of the Church in Philadelphia ” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Philadelphia.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Philadelphia.htm

45. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use45 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Philadelphia metro in 1990 and 2000. Evangelicals grew in attendance numbers, while Catholics and Mainline groups have declined over the last decade. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

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48. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use48 The Next Chart shows the 1990 & 2000 average church attendance by group for both this metro area and the nation. The second chart shows the 1990 & 2000 population per church for this metro area and the nation. This shows how many people live in this metro area for every Christian church. Among states in 2000, Arkansas is the lowest at 411 people per church, while Utah is the highest at 4,586 people per church.

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51. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use51 The Next Map shows the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend in 2000 for each county in the Philadelphia area.

52. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use52 Philadelphia Metro Area 2000 Percentage of the Population Attending a Christian Church on Any Given Weekend 21.1% Delaware 18.4% Bucks 19.2% Chester 19.4% Montgomery 14.0% Salem 15.6% Gloucester 19.6% Philadelphia 16.2% Burlington 14.8% Camden

53. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use53 The Complete Philadelphia Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Philadelphia.htm. It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information. http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Philadelphia.htm

54. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use54 This Presentation is based on a nationwide study of American church attendance, as reported by churches and denominations. The database currently has average worship attendances for each of the last 10 years for over 200,000 individual churches. It also uses supplementary information (actual membership numbers correlated with accurate membership to attendance ratios) to project the attendances of all other denominational and independent churches. All told, accurate information is provided for over 300,000 orthodox Christian churches. 1 1 This presentation looks only at people attending orthodox Christian churches. Approximately 3 million people attend non-orthodox Christian churches, and perhaps 3 million attend a religious service of another religion. Those ‘houses of worship’ would add another 35,000 churches in the United States and increase the 2000 percentage to 20.5%.

55. © 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use55 For More Information... Please go to www.theamericanchurch.org for additional information on the American Church.www.theamericanchurch.org 12 Surprising Facts about the American Church is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/ 12supm. htm http://www.theamericanchurch.org/ 12supm. htm The complete New Jersey Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UNJ20.htm http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UNJ20.htm The Complete Newark Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Newark.htm http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Newark.htm The Complete New York City Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/NewYork.htm http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/NewYork.htm The Complete Philadelphia Powerpoint presentation is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Philadelphia.htm http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Philadelphia.htm A Combo Pack (12 Surprising Facts, New Jersey, NYC & Philadelphia Powerpoints) is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/combo/NJ0.htm http://www.theamericanchurch.org/combo/NJ0.htm